The terms maritime archaeology and underwater archaeology are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct meanings:
- Maritime Archaeology:
- Focuses on the human interaction with the sea, ships, and the waterways over time. It looks at how ancient and historical societies utilized and navigated the seas, including trade, transport, warfare, and exploration.
- Maritime archaeology includes the study of shipwrecks, ports, harbors, and coastal settlements, as well as artifacts like cargo, navigational tools, and shipbuilding techniques.
- It doesn’t necessarily involve underwater sites; it can also include archaeological sites on land (such as ancient harbors or shipyards).
- Underwater Archaeology:
- This is a broader field that specifically focuses on submerged sites, whether they are maritime in nature or not. It involves exploring and excavating submerged sites, whether they are shipwrecks, sunken cities, or submerged settlements.
- Underwater archaeology encompasses all forms of underwater excavation and exploration, not necessarily restricted to maritime themes, and can include anything from ancient structures to prehistoric settlements submerged due to rising sea levels.